Sexual Violence and Misconduct

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND MISCONDUCT

Acts of violence of any behaviour that leaves you feeling harassed, bullied, intimidated, abused or discriminated against are not acceptable. You have a right to feel safe at University. The University have policies in place to deal with incidents of this nature. There are also other ways to report and receive support for any incident affecting you.

HOW CAN I REPORT AND ACCESS SUPPORT FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE?

Sexual violence can take many forms. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse, as well as threatening, coercive and controlling behaviour, or harassment. As a general rule, if you feel you have experienced a form of sexual violence, then you have.

There are a number of routes that you can take to either report the incident or seek support for yourself. If you wish to report the incident, consider the different routes available and think about which would be best for you. Be sure to take care of yourself throughout the process.

REPORT

TO THE POLICE

The police have specially trained officers who are experienced in helping survivors of sexual violence. To make a report to the police you can call 101 or in an emergency 999. If you would like more information on this option, you may wish to discuss the police procedure with Durham Constabulary's Police University Liaison Officer or an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA). An ISVA can provide you with impartial information to enable you to make choices by providing you with an overview of the police process and what to expect. You can access an ISVA through The Meadows or the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre.

TO THE UNIVERSITY

You could also choose to report an incident of sexual violence to the University to initiate the process within the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy. This is separate from disclosing an incident to a member of staff. You may submit a report under the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy by completing the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Reporting Form. The University may only consider acting upon it if there was a breach of the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy. The University’s disciplinary process is separate from criminal law matters, and their misconduct offences are distinct from criminal offences.

SUPPORT

YOUR COLLEGE 

You can disclose incidents of sexual violence and misconduct to you College Student Support Office. They will provide you with support and refer you to specialist help as appropriate. They can also help you consider your reporting options, including reporting to the University.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING SERVICE 

All of the Durham University Counselling Service counsellors have the skills to support you. The Sexual Violence and Misconduct team at the University have a self-referral process, which will refer you to the counselling service with a shorter waiting time. Your counsellor can also arrange for sessions with the specialist workers from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC). Alternatively, you can contact RSACC yourself here.

DURHAM STUDENTS' UNION

If you would like support with the process of reporting an incident of sexual harassment, our Advice service at the Students’ Union can help with that. To access support, please submit a ticket and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.

NIGHTLINE

If you would like to speak to another student confidentially, Nightline is a student-run, non-directive, non-advisory listening service open every night of term between 21:00 and 07:00. You can find their number on their website, the back of your campus card or contact them through messenger on their website. 

THE RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE COUNSELLING CENTRE 

The centre offers free confidential counselling and support to people who have experienced any form of sexual violence. More information is available here.